Pre-spotting unit for dry cleaning



M. FRAUENDORF Sheet MAN/A Feb. 18, 1969 PRE-SPOTTING UNIT FOR DRYCLEANING Filed Nov. 15. 1966 Feb. 18, 1969 M.FRAUENDORF PRE-SPOTTINGUNIT FOR DRY CLEANING Sheet Filed Nov. 15, 1966 Inventor: HWY/W60FfiiUfA/MAF Um'tedistates Patent 3,427,831 PRE-SPOTTING UNIT FOR DRYCLEANING Manfred Frauendorf, Lortzingstr. 1, Nuremberg, Germany FiledNov. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 594,557 Claims priority, application Germany,Jan. 29, 1966,

N 27,976 U.S. c1. 68-240 Int. Cl. D06f 43/08 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Background of the invention The present invention relates tothe dry cleaning industry. More particularly the invention is concernedwith a pre-spotting or stain removing unit for cleaning garments havinga working pad, for use in dry-cleaning establishments, especiallychemical dry-cleaning plants.

Prior to placing garments in the dry-cleaning machine it is frequentlynecesssary to perform what is generally referred to a spotting operationin order to remove spots, perspiration borders or similar impuritieswhich are not nomally removed by the cleaning in the machine. It isknown to apply for this purpose a mixture of water and cleaning agent ata ratio of five parts water to one part cleaning activator by means ofbrushes onto the soiled area of the garment to be cleaned. This mannerof operation introduces the disadvantage that when placing the garmentinto the cleaning machine additional water is carried into the washingliquid. Due to this addition of water and cleaning activator to thewashing liquid, the ratio of the cleaner in the machine is unfavorablyinfluenced and interruptions in the operation of the filter may occur. Afurther disadvantage exists in that, for example, due to the mechanicaltreatment by the brush the fabric is subjected to undue wear. Withdifferent types of fabric shrinking or warping or crimping may occur.

Summary of the invention It is, therefore, an object of the invention toprovide a pro-spotting unit which simplifies the former method ofpre-spotting considerably, makes possible a method of treatment thatprotects the fabric and permits a saving of cleaning activator orconcentrate as well as of working time. In accordance with the inventionthis problem is solved in that the working pad of the spotting unit isperforated in the manner of a screen and provided with a catch basin forthe cleaning actuator, and that a spraying device for steam and forcleaning activator or concentrate is provided. This arrangement inaccordance with the invention makes it possible to apply the cleaningactivator in undiluted condition by spraying onto the soiled areas ofthe material being cleaned. Simultaneously steam is sup- 3,427,831Patented Feb. 18, 1969 plied separately that condenses on the fabric andis immediately bonded or fixed by the cleaning activator. The part ofthe steam that is not condensed is removed by suction. The condensedsteam is physically and chemically bonded by the cleaning activator sothat no free water remains on the garment or fabric. This affords theessential advantage that also knitted goods can be sprayed without beingconcerned about shrinking, running of colors, crimping, felting, mattingor the like.

Another feature provided in acordance with the invention which isespecially appropriate is the arrangement of a suction hood and anexhaust fan or the like at the rear wall of the apparatus.

In order to facilitate work on longer garments a catch trough isprovided below the working surface preferably made of plastic or thelike, into which overhanging parts of the garment being cleaned can beplaced.

In individual cases additional clean-ing agents for removing particularspots are required which are kept in bottles. In order to make the workeasier, it is a further object of the invention to provide a shelf forthe bottles of cleaning agents on the suction hood.

A further saving in working time is obtained in that the spraying devicecan be deposited within reach by means of a magnet mounted in the backof the spotting unit.

In accordance with a further practical development of the invention aworking area light is provided on the upper structure, preferably in thesuction hood.

In accordance with the invention the spraying device is connected with acontainer for the cleaning activator and with a steam generatingapparatus. In a particularly advantageous embodiment the spraying devicehas a nozzle head with a nozzle threadedly received therein for thecleaning activator :and apertures disposed around the nozzle for theexit of the steam in a manner that the steam and the cleaning activatorcan be sprayed on separately. 7

In accordance with the invention, a pedal operated valve device isprovided to operate the spraying device which consists of magneticvalves for steam and cleaning activator, which are connected with eachother in such a manner that actuating of the steam valve is possibleonly simultaneously with the cleaning actuator valve, while opening ofthe cleaning actuator valve can be effected without actuating the steamvalve.

Furthermore, in accordance with a further development of the invention,the magnetic valves and the nozzle head are so proportioned that theratio of steam to cleaning activities is 1:5.

Advantageously the nozzle head may be of generally square shape andprovided on at least one side with a magnetizable sheet metal plate andwith a protective sleeve for the hand.

The container for the cleaning actuator in accordance with the inventionis constructed as a pressure vessel having a pressure sealed fillingstub and a rising pipe, and is preferably coated inside, or inside andoutside, with an acid-resistant plastic coating.

The pre-spotting unit in accordance with invention affords simple andrapid spot removal by trained operators so that a considerable economyin cleaning actuator is obtained as compared to the former methods ofbrushing on the cleaning actuator.

The separate application of steam and cleaning actu- 3 ator onto thegarment to be cleaned does not change the water content of the washingliquid in the cleaning machine, due to the bonding or fixing of thecondensed steam by the cleaning actuator. Generally, the prespotting ofgarments makes it unnecessary to perform subsequent spotting which isnormally necessary.

Brief description of the drawings Further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from the following description withreference to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment schematically,and in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the unit in accordance withthe invention,

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section of the container for the cleaningactuator, and

FIG. 3 is a view of the spraying device in accordance with theinvention.

Description of the invention The pre-spotting unit in accordance withthe invention in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is supported by a frame1 which may for example be constituted of tubular elements. A workingpad 2 is horizontally disposedon this frame and consists of a screen 3or a plate perforated in the manner of a screen over which a canvas 4may be spread if desired. Below this working pad a catch basin 5 isprovided which may be connected by way of a spout 6 and a conduit 7 witha collecting container 8.

Below the working pad 2 a catch or supporting shelf 9 is loosely mountedbetween two frame portions 10 and 11. In this connection, theconstruction is advantageously such that a part of the catch 9 projectsbeyond the front end of the frame 1. This catch or support 9 affords thepossibility during work with long garments or fabrics to place on it theparts that hang down so that sliding on the floor is avoided.

Suitably, the unit has a rear wall 12 which has an upper part 13 that isformed in the manner of an exhaust hood. An exhauster 14 withdraws thesteam out of the exhaust hood that may not have been condensed whiletreating garments. The upper surface 16 of the exhaust hood is partly orentirely constructed as a supporting surface or tray for bottles '17, 18containing cleaning agent. A pad 20 that prevents sliding, as well as aprotective frame 21 may also be provided.

On the back of the wall 12, a permanent retaining magnet 22 is mountedon which the spraying device 23 may be supported when it is not in use.The spraying device 23 will be described later. It is connected on'theone hand by conduits 24 and 25 with a container 26 for the cleaningactuator, and on the other hand with a steam generator that is notillustrated. The connection is by way of magnetic valves 27 and 28. Apedal operated switch 29 is provided for actuating the magnetic valves.

The container 26 for the cleaning actuator is in the form of a pressureresistant container and has a filling stub 30 that can be pressuresealed. Compressed air is supplied to the container by way of a valve 31through the connecting pipe 32. Inside of the container a riser tube 33is mounted in a manner known per se. Advantageously, the container 26 isprovided either inside or outside, but preferably inside and outside,with a coating 34 and 35 of acid-resistant plastic.

The valves 27 and 28 are electrically connected in parallel, and thevalve 27 for the steam supply to the spraying device 23 may bedisconnected by means of a manual switch 36. This affords that thespraying device 23 can always be supplied with cleaning actuator,although normally steam is sprayed with it; however the supply of steamalone is made impossible.

The embodiment of a spraying device illustrated in FIG. 3 shows a nozzlehead 37 which is preferably of square shape. In the nozzle head 37, ahollow space 38 threadedly receives a spray nozzle 39 known per se. The

hollow space 38 is surrounded by an annular hollow space 40 which has aplurality of apertures 41 for spraying the steam. The apertures 41 aredisposed around the nozzle 39, preferably in a circular manner.

The supply of steam is by way of the entrance aperture 42 and the innerconnecting bore 43. The entrance aperture 44 is for the cleaningactuator and from there the cleaning actuator is conducted by way of theduct 45 to the hollow space 38. The nozzle head 37 has a handle 46.Suitably, this handle is surrounded by a cup-shaped protecting member 47so that the handle and the hand of the operator is protected againststeam and against the elfect of the cleaning actuator. Along the sidewall a metal disk 48 is secured by soldering or the like. This disk canbe magnetized and is made of suitable rustresisting material. Incombination with the retaining magnet 22, the nozzle head 37 may then bereadily attached with its plate 48 against the pre-spotting unit.

The valves 27 and 28, or the supply ducts are so proportioned that themixture ratio between steam and cleaning actuator is 1:5.

By operating the foot pedal 29, both magnetic valves 27 and 28 areopened so that the steam and non-diluted cleaning actuator are suppliedthrough separate conduits 24 and 25 to the nozzle head 37.Simultaneously, steam passes through the separate bores 41 whichcondenses on the fabric and is bonded by the cleaning actuator.

Any rising particles of steam and cleaning actuator are withdrawn bysuction through the exhauster 14 on the rear wall 12 so that theoperator is not discomforted. Cleaning actuator that does not contactthe material being cleaned is collected in the catch basin 5 and flowsback without pressure into the container 8.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment and features illustrated.It encompasses also all advantages and suitable partial andsub-combinations of these features.

Having now described my invention with reference to the embodimentillustrated, I do not wish to be limited thereto but what I desire toprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is set forth in theappended claims.

I claim:

1. Pre-spotting unit for cleaning garments, said unit comprising asupport structure, a working support perforated in the manner of ascreen, a catch basin for sprayed liquid below said screen, a containerfor cleaning actuator, a steam supply connection, a common sprayingdevice for steam and cleaning actuator comprising a nozzle head having aspray nozzle for cleaning actuator threadedly received therein and aplurality of apertures for the discharge of steam disposed around saidnozzle, conduits connecting said nozzle head to said container and tosaid steam supply connection, and control means including -a valve forcleaning actuator and a valve for steam for selectively controlling thesupply of cleaning actuator to said nozzle separately and the supply ofsteam together with cleaning actuator, said container for cleaningactuator being a pressure container having a protective coating of acidresistant plastic material and including a filling socket and a risingtube connected to one of said conduits.

2. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said sprayingdevice is generally of rectangular shape, is provided on one side with amagnetizable metal shield, and includes a handle, and a shielding cupdisposed around said handle.

3. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said valves arepedal operated metal valves and where said valve for cleaning actuatoris independently operable while said valve for steam is dependent foroperation on the operation of said cleaning actuator valve.

4. Pre-spotting unit in accordance with claim 1, where said valves andsaid nozzle head 'are constructed and arranged to supply steam andcleaning actuator at a ratio of 1:5.

(References on following page) McGee 68-222 X Goodwin 68-240 Fink 68-240X Richterkessing 68-240 Beekman 248-206 X Brucken 68-18 X 6 FOREIGNPATENTS 536,763 12/1955 Italy.

WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R.

